Clos Rougeard

Clos Rougeard traces its origins to 1664, making it one of the most historically significant estates in the Loire Valley. The Foucault family took ownership in 1894 and stewarded the domaine for eight generations. Brothers Nady and Charly Foucault assumed control in 1969 and transformed the estate into the Loire's most revered cult producer. Charly Foucault passed away in December 2015, and in 2017 the estate was sold to the Bouygues family. Under Bouygues ownership, a new winery building opened in 2023 and Cyril Chirouze was appointed estate manager that same year.

• Founded 1664; Foucault family ownership from 1894 to 2017
• Brothers Nady and Charly Foucault took over in 1969
• Charly Foucault passed away December 2015
• Bouygues family purchased the estate in 2017

The estate covers 15 hectares spread across 25 individual plots in multiple communes within Saumur-Champigny. Soils combine clay and limestone on a tuffeau plateau, with varying topsoils across the plots. The region experiences a temperate maritime climate. Clos Rougeard pioneered organic viticulture in the Loire Valley during the 1960s and 1970s, well ahead of the broader movement toward sustainable farming. Fruit is hand-harvested across all vineyards.

• Tuffeau plateau with clay and limestone soils across 25 plots
• Temperate maritime climate in Saumur-Champigny
• Organic viticulture pioneered in the 1960s and 1970s
• All fruit hand-harvested

Clos Rougeard produces four distinct wines. The three red cuvées, Le Clos, Les Poyeux, and Le Bourg, are all based on Cabernet Franc. Le Bourg has been produced since 1988, while Les Poyeux has historically been the more prominent cuvée. The single white wine, Brézé, is made from Chenin Blanc. All wines undergo natural yeast fermentation, age for 18 to 24 months in barrel, and are bottled unfined and unfiltered. Production across all four wines totals approximately 2,500 cases per year, with all wine sold by allocation, primarily to restaurants.

• Le Clos, Les Poyeux, and Le Bourg: Cabernet Franc reds
• Brézé: dry Chenin Blanc white
• 18 to 24 months barrel aging, bottled unfined and unfiltered
• Natural yeast fermentation throughout

Clos Rougeard is widely regarded as the Loire Valley's ultimate cult producer. With only around 2,500 cases made each year across four wines, access is extremely limited. All wines are sold by allocation only, directed mostly to restaurants rather than retail channels. This combination of tiny production, uncompromising winemaking, and a proven track record for long aging has placed Clos Rougeard on the same tier as the world's most sought-after wines.

• Approximately 2,500 cases produced annually across four wines
• All wines sold by allocation, primarily to restaurants
• Considered the Loire Valley's definitive cult producer
• Long aging potential drives secondary market demand